Environmental risks from consumer products: Acceptable drinking water quality can produce unacceptable indoor air quality with ultrasonic humidifier use

Dietrich, Andrea M.; Yao, Wenchuo; Gohlke, Julia M.; Gallagher, Daniel L.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158787

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…In addition, inhaled Mn may transport through olfactory‐brain barrier, and deposit in the brain, causing neurotoxicity 53 . Inhalation risks may exceed ingestion risk for As, Pb, and Mn when these neurotoxic metals are present in tap water that is consumed daily and also used to fill an ultrasonic humidifier that is used 8‐h per day 54 . A study exposed mice to ultrasonic humidifier filled with high silica water, and found silica particles in mouse alveolar tissues, with mitosis dysregulation of genes, cell adhesion molecules, and endocytosis 36 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…53 Inhalation risks may exceed ingestion risk for As, Pb, and Mn when these neurotoxic metals are present in tap water that is consumed daily and also used to fill an ultrasonic humidifier that is used 8-h per day. 54 A study exposed mice to ultrasonic humidifier filled with high silica water, and found silica particles in mouse alveolar tissues, with mitosis dysregulation of genes, cell adhesion molecules, and endocytosis. 36 The misuse of the humidifier biocide of PHMG simultaneously with ultrasonic humidifier operation resulted in >100 deaths of pregnant women and children, and a study showed positive associations of lung injuries in human patients and PHMG exposure.…”

Section: Health Implications From Ultrasonic Humidifier Exposurementioning

confidence: 99%

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Exposure at the indoor water–air interface: Fill water constituents and the consequent air emissions from ultrasonic humidifiers: A systematic review

2022

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This systematic review investigates the emissions from ultrasonic humidifiers (e.g., cool mist humidifiers) within indoor air environments, namely soluble and insoluble metals and minerals as well as microorganisms and one organic chemical biocide. Relationships between ultrasonic humidifier fill water quality and the emissions in indoor air are studied, and associated potential adverse health outcomes are discussed. Literature from January 1, 1980, to February 1, 2022, was searched from online databases of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus to produce 27 articles. The results revealed clear positive proportional relationships of the concentration of microorganisms and soluble metals/minerals between fill water qualities and emitted airborne particles, for both microbial (n = 9) and inorganic (n = 15) constituents. When evaluating emissions and the consequent health outcomes, ventilation rates of specific exposure scenarios affect the concentrations of emitted particles. Thus, well‐ventilated rooms may alleviate inhalation risks when the fill water in ultrasonic humidifiers contains microorganisms and soluble metals/minerals. Case reports (n = 3) possibly due to the inhalation of particles from ultrasonic humidifier include hypersensitivity pneumonitis in adults and a 6‐month infant; the young infant exhibited nonreversible mild obstructive ventilator defect. In summary, related literature indicated correlation between fill water quality of ultrasonic humidifier and emitted particles in air quality, and inhalation of the emitted particles may cause undesirable health outcomes of impaired respiratory functions in adults and children.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%